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Chain O'Lakes State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 300 Google reviews · Running trail in Spring Grove, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Chain O'Lakes State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
State park offering a campground, trails, lakes, a playground, and picnicking.
What runners say about Chain O'Lakes State Park
“The hiking trails are well maintained with some hidden gems throughout the trail system.”
“Beautiful park, good RV camping.”
This is a large, well-maintained state park with something to offer for everyone! Fantastic access to the waterways of the chain, from boat launches to fishing piers and boat rentals for all your water sport and fishing needs.
Love this campground! Super simple to get in and setup. They tend to get busy during check in (3:30) but they move quick to get everyone their info. They have 30 amp service at a bunch of the sites, but no water or sewer hookups. They do have water stations to fill your camper and two dump stations.
Have camped here all of my life. Each campground has their own unique experience, I guess. There are no full hookup sites in this park. Two campgrounds have pier access to Turner Lake one with a boat launch. No motors are allowed on the lake but the fishing can be pretty good.
We followed the east trail and parked by the deer path picnic tables following a loop of the yellow, white, and orange path. It was beautiful. Would go back in the summer. Relatively hilly for Chicago landscape, which was nice. There were also lots of birds.
Trail conditions & character
“There are heavily wooded tent camping sites that offer shade in the summer and a campground that has very flat RV landing spots.”
“There are heavily wooded tent camping sites that offer shade in the summer and a campground that has very flat RV landing spots.”
“They do have water stations to fill your camper and two dump stations.”
Plan your run at Chain O'Lakes State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitednr.illinois.gov
- Phone(847) 587-5512
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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